{"id":16934,"date":"2025-08-06T12:00:09","date_gmt":"2025-08-06T16:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/?p=16934"},"modified":"2025-08-06T12:00:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T16:00:09","slug":"science-warns-this-popular-sugar-substitute-is-linked-to-brain-cell-damage-according-to-a-recent-study","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/nutrition\/science-warns-this-popular-sugar-substitute-is-linked-to-brain-cell-damage-according-to-a-recent-study-16934\/","title":{"rendered":"Science warns: This popular sugar substitute is linked to brain cell damage, according to a recent study"},"content":{"rendered":"

A common sugar alternative<\/strong> found in everything from diet sodas to keto snacks is now under scrutiny. New research from the University of Colorado Boulder suggests that erythritol\u2014one of the most widely used non-nutritive sweeteners in the U.S.\u2014may have harmful effects<\/a><\/strong> on brain cells and increase the risk of stroke.<\/p>\n

The study<\/a><\/strong>, published in the Journal of Applied Physiology,\u00a0analyzed how certain sugar substitutes interact with blood vessels in the brain<\/strong>. The results revealed a series of biological responses that could impair vascular function and potentially raise the chances of suffering a stroke.<\/p>\n

Which popular sweetener could increase your risk of stroke<\/h2>\n

The study focused on erythritol<\/strong>, a low-calorie sugar alcohol approved by the FDA in 2001 and commonly found in diet sodas, keto snacks, protein bars, and many other processed foods. Marketed as a healthier alternative to sugar, erythritol is about 80% as sweet as sucrose, contains almost no calories, and has little to no effect on blood sugar or insulin levels\u2014making it especially popular among people with diabetes or those following low-carb diets.<\/strong><\/p>\n

But recent findings suggest the health halo around this ingredient may be misleading<\/strong>. A large-scale study involving 4,000 participants in the US and Europe already linked higher blood levels of erythritol with a significantly increased likelihood of heart attack or stroke over a three-year period. The team at CU Boulder set out to explore why.<\/p>\n

Researchers treated human cells lining brain blood vessels with an amount of erythritol equivalent to what\u2019s found in a typical sugar-free drink. After just three hours, they noticed a series of concerning changes in cellular function.<\/strong><\/p>\n

What exactly did the study reveal?<\/h2>\n

Among the most significant effects, the erythritol-exposed cells produced lower levels of nitric oxide<\/strong>, a molecule that helps keep blood vessels relaxed and open. At the same time, they expressed more endothelin-1, a protein that constricts blood vessels. These two factors combined suggest a shift toward vascular tightness and restricted blood flow\u2014conditions that increase the likelihood of a stroke.<\/p>\n

Moreover, when the cells were introduced to thrombin, a clot-promoting compound, their production of t-PA (a natural clot-dissolving substance) dropped sharply<\/strong>. The erythritol-treated cells also released more reactive oxygen species, or “free radicals,” which are known to accelerate aging, cause cellular damage, and trigger inflammation.<\/p>\n

“Big picture, if your vessels are more constricted and your ability to break down blood clots is lowered, your risk of stroke goes up<\/strong>,” said Auburn Berry, the study\u2019s first author. \u201cOur research demonstrates not only that, but how erythritol has the potential to increase stroke risk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Should consumers avoid erythritol altogether?<\/h2>\n

Though the research was conducted in a lab using isolated human cells, the amount of erythritol applied was equivalent to a typical serving size. According to the authors, those who consume multiple erythritol-containing products daily\u2014such as diet sodas or sugar-free snacks\u2014may experience even stronger effects over time.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Christopher DeSouza, senior author of the study and director of the Integrative Vascular Biology Lab, emphasized the need for caution<\/strong>: \u201cNon-nutritive sweeteners that have generally been considered safe may not come without health consequences,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The researchers aren\u2019t calling for an outright ban<\/strong>, but they do advise the public to pay attention to labels. Erythritol may appear under its name or be listed generically as a “sugar alcohol.” With more studies suggesting negative impacts, experts are urging consumers to limit their intake<\/a><\/strong> while science continues to investigate long-term effects.<\/p>\n

“Given the epidemiological study that inspired our work, and now our cellular findings, we believe it would be prudent for people to monitor their consumption of non-nutrient sweeteners such as this one,” added DeSouza.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A common sugar alternative found in everything from diet sodas to keto snacks is now under scrutiny. New research from … <\/p>\n

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